Coughlin Named Gatorade Boys XC Runner of the Year in Tennessee


Webb senior Carter Coughlin has been named the Gatorade Boys Cross Country runner of the Year in Tennessee for the 2017 season.

Coughlin won his third straight TSSAA State Cross Country Championship in November to cap off a banner season in East Tennessee. The Wake Forest signee started the season with six wins in his first seven races, including the state title.

In that two month span, Coughlin set two personal bests. To open the season, his 15:12 was good for first place at the Cherokee Classic. One month later, Coughlin won the KIL Championship in 14:57. With that race, Coughlin became one of 33 boys in the country to break 15 minutes for a 5k.

Throughout the season, Coughlin was at the front of the pack week in and week out. He finished the season ranked No. 26 in the country and No. 2 in the state. 

Following his in-state season, Coughlin continued competing at the national level. Carter was fifth at the Foot Locker South Invitational, which gave him a bid to run in the Foot Locker National meet. And there, he had another fantastic effort, placing 15th on the challenging Balboa Park course.

This track season, Coughlin will look to continue his in-state success, adding on to his three state titles in Division II over his first three seasons.